Crafts - Rune's iPad Sleeve

Last summer one of my best friend's, Rune, came by to give leatherworking a go. He spent hours burnishing the edges on the belt, that he made and it was a joy seeing someone so consumed of this one thing. It was just him and the leather - everything else seized to exist for some time. Just before leaving he told me about an idea of making a sleeve for his iPad and so we did, when he came to visit from Copenhagen this weekend.

Rune made the sleeve himself - almost at least. I tried to help, but it was mostly in terms of design. The details he picked himself and of course he decided to use the most extravagant solutions. He picked the football leather from Horween and the fattest, thickest and most greasy thread, that I have in my arsenal; a thread called Nyltex. Nyltex is not a braided or twisted thread  - it just consists of of multiple strains, which makes it hard to get an even stitch, as the thread becomes either twisted or totally flat. Normally a thread, that I would use on very thick leathers and honestly I usually avoid it because it's so hard to get nice, even stitches, which is what I always strive towards.

The design is a fairly simple envelope design, but it's very functional and we added a couple of nice details.

I'm amazed by the surface of this leather. Especially this irregular pattern, that runs across the sleeve. It looks a bit like small flowers. Very beautiful.

The stitches turned out quite well considering the fact, that Rune has very limited experience with stitches, but he took it slow and was very thorough. 

Edges were finished in black using Edge kote by Fiebings. A product that I very rarely use, but it turned out quite good. It's impossible burnishing the edges of this leather.

A button stud makes for the closing mechanism. Very simple. Plus I got to use my antique leather buttonholer, which is always a joy.

The stud button doesn't come in contact with the iPad itself, so there is no danger of scratching the darn thing. And again, that texture is just something else.

I'm very interested in seeing, how this sleeve ages. The key wallet, that I made for my brother in law some time ago, has aged quite nicely, so my feelings towards this leather is becoming more and more positive, although it isn't the easiest to handstitch. 

Workers - March

Takashi Tateno's Workers brand of Japan puts out a nice assortment of clothing every month. Normally it's slightly too workwear inspired for my liking, although always very well put together and simply just great, but this month it was a instant hit for me.

Highlights include the button down (it might be chambray or  voile or some other fabric. It could also be just a slubby oxford cotton) shirt. The triple stitch and bar tacking gives the shirt a rugged appeal, and the button down and locker loop gives makes a bit more classic and the irregularities in the weave give the shirt some character.

The tool bag is another nice feature of this mini-collection. Although I a bit crude workmanship on the leather, I'm sure it'll do it's job well.

There are two configurations of the "baker" shorts. Both of them are beautiful, but I would go for the more classic edition in military green cotton sateen. It ages well, just like a pair of fatigue pants.

To top it all they put some nice looks together.

WAYWT - 02

I tend to dress in the most boring fashion, hence I never do much WAYWT (except for one a while back). However today I received a parcel, which content made me take my socks off and go out into the gloomy weather, which later turned to snow. But I didn't care much because my feet were wrapped in the some of the best leathers known to man in the shape of a pair of penny loafers from the venerable English shoemakers, Crockett & Jones. I friend picked up on the fact, that I wanted them badly and decided to donate them to me and for that I'm forever grateful. Thank you.

From bottom up

Crockett & Jones "Boston" penny loafers - with a Dainite sole.

Levi's Vintage Clothing  jeans - 501z 1954 

Vintage braided D-ring belt - Indigodyed.

James Dalgliesh  crew neck - Argyle in Shetland wool

Levi's x Filson trucker jacket - in waxed tincloth

Not visible

Woolrich Woolen Mills Upland shirt - in blue chambray

The Hill-Side scarf - in violet chambray

Want - Crockett & Jones Boston

This spring and summer I want to be wearing loafers, penny loafers to be exact, and I want to be wearing them sockless - or perhaps with white socks. I have been looking for the right pair for a long time. Of course I would prefer some in shell cordovan, but I also want them with a rubber sole because I'm not the biggest fan of leather soles - don't ask me why.

I considered the iconic Alden loafer, but they almost always come with a leather sole. I then thought about the "Howard" model by Cheaney, which I still haven't written off, but I always seem to be ending up where I started, the Boston model by Crockett & Jones. Crockett & Jones makes some of the best footwear in the world and it's a of a consistent high quality. I just wish they would make their Harvard (unlined shell cordovan) with a Dainite sole. They probably would, but then it would be a custom order, which my budget doesn't allow at the moment.

If you don't believe me, then take Heavy Tweed Jacket's word for it.